Ex-offender: Conviction changes give 'second chance'

Thousands of offenders will no longer have to reveal their criminal past to potential employers.

Offenders sentenced to six months or less in jail will therefore have to admit their criminal history for two years rather than the current seven.

The changes will apply retrospectively to anyone convicted of a criminal offence since 1974.

Ex-offender Colin Lambert, who now works with former prisoners, told BBC Radio 5 live's Victoria Derbyshire: "It's important that former prisoners are given a second chance."